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You can help restore wild spaces as three events are marking River's Day in the Tri-Cities

The aim of litter cleanups and tree planting are to restore areas along the Coquitlam River for the benefit of local wildlife, salmon and the public.
Traboulay PoCo Trail - Meghan Cowan
Bringing back the Coquitlam River to a pristine condition is the goal of two litter cleanups on Sunday, Sept. 26, which is River's Day.

A busy summer on the Coquitlam River has resulted in pockets of litter on local trails and in the water.

Now, groups are organizing shoreline and river clean-ups in recognition of River’s Day on Sunday (Sept. 26).

The first BC River’s Day was founded by Mark Angelo in 1980 to celebrate our rivers, highlighting the many values and increasing public awareness and encouraging stewardship. 

Participating in a clean-up might not be glamorous but it’s a way to join with others in protecting local waterways.

Here’s what’s happening:

  • SHORELINE CLEAN-UP

The City of Port Coquitlam is hosting a shoreline clean-up on Sunday at Lions Park. City staff will provide all required supplies, a safety orientation, and arrange for collected litter to be collected.

Space is limited due to COVID-19 protocols, so participants must register here.

  • TRABOULAY POCO TRAIL

Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable is hosting a two-hour clean-up along the Traboulay PoCo Trail in partnership with Web of Life, Chandos Construction and the Beaver Canoe Club for BC Rivers Day. 

This is a COVID-safe event so participants must register.

Choose between either an in-stream paddle or a stream-side walk as your mode of collection.

Litter collected will be used to build a public art piece representing the ongoing litter problem in the watershed.

  • TREE PLANTING

The City of Coquitlam and its Natural Areas team will be planting native trees and shrubs on Sept. 25 and/or 26 in Hoy Creek Linear Park from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The aim is to restore the forest by planting native trees and shrubs in an area that used to have invasive plants. 

Space is limited. Email [email protected] for more info and to register.